Over the weekend of October 13 and 14, the Florida
Bass Federation held their 2012 State Championship tournament on Lake Seminole
in Jackson County, Florida. The weather was great but the fishing was tough,
which made the winners performances all the more impressive. The highlight of
the day -

Gary Paul
of the Fort Myers Bass Club claimed the title of State Champion with 21.2 pounds
by edging out Leon Roy of the Tri State Bass Slayers by just less than two
pounds. For the Co-Anglers, Michael Davis of the Winter Haven Lunker Lovers
topped the list with 12.35 pounds followed by David Glenn, also of the Winter
Haven Lunker Lovers, who managed 8.95 pounds. You can see a complete list of the
tournament standings at www.floridabassfederation.com.

At the State Championship, the Florida Bass Federation
also named the members of the State Team for 2013. The team will consist of 12
Anglers and one alternate. Gary Paul will lead the team as the Angler of the
Year. Gary has impressed us all on his way to capture the Federation’s top
honor. Winning the State Championship, three of the five qualifiers and in the
money for two qualifiers – Gary proved he can win on any water in any region. As
a team, Gary and his wife, Linda, work hard at winning. You will see them
pre-fishing the State tournaments days in advance. They put in the time and
commitment that made Gary Paul the best of the best for 2012.

Completing a very strong team this year are; Michael Teate – 2nd Place Angler of the Year – of the Winter Haven Lunker
Lovers, David Glenn – 1st Place Co-Angler of the year of the Winter
Haven Lunker Lovers, Robert Gleason – 2nd Place Co-Angler of the Year
of the Lake Worth-Boynton Beach Bassmasters, Leon Roy, Jessie Woodring of the
Lake Worth-Boynton Beach Bassmasters, Jared Dial of the Winter Haven Lunker
Lovers, Chuck Swann of the North Florida Bassmasters, Micheal Davis of the
Winter Haven Lunker Lovers, Randy Rafnel of the Red Neck Yacht Club, John
Hodgson of the East Coast Bass Anglers, Jeff Zesiger of the Bass Capital
Bassmasters and Michael Johnson of the North Florida Bassmasters.
Congratulations all of you and good luck in 2013.

The members of the Florida Bass Federation would like
to give our sincere thanks to all the people that were responsible for a
successful and enjoyable State Championship this year. Ralph Clippinger, Acting
President of the Federation and Doug Gary, Tournament Director for the State
Championship, came through for us dedicating their time and expertise organizing
and directing the tournament. They will tell us they had a lot of help – and
they did. So thank you all the volunteers for your hard work.

We also thank Pam Fuqua, Executive Director of the
Tourist Development Council of Jackson County, and our good friend and long time
supporter, Homer Hirt, for welcoming us to your beautiful Lake Seminole year
after year. We greatly appreciate Mary Neal and the West Florida Electric
Cooperative for letting us meet in your conference room every time we come to
town. The Victory Baptist Church graciously offered their cafeteria for our
banquet. Thank you Pastor Pippin, we hope to see you again real soon. We
launched each day out of the Seminole Lodge and Marina. Thank you to Monte
Anderson for the use of your facility, the motel and campground. And thank you
Debra Bradley for being there before dawn with the coffee ready and plenty of
ice. Please visit